Painting Kitchen Cabinets

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Author Message   SlowDog Citizen Username: Bca Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 9:29 am:        I'd like to paint the cabinets in our kitchen (wood above the counters, metal below). The current job is oil, and I'd like to use latex (simply because its easier). For the wood, I know enough about painting to propertly cover the oil with latex. My real question is whether latex is unwise for long-term care and maintenence reasons. Also, what does one put on metal cabinets? Thanks.   Richard O'Connor Citizen Username: Roconn Post Number: 147 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 12:08 pm:        If the cabinets are metal, I think you're going to find that the latex, no matter how good, does not hold up well in terms of long term adhesion to the previous paint. (This was true in my kitchen .. the base of the sink was metal, painted with whatever they painted the uppers with (wood) and it didn't last well.) Were these (metal) cabinets previously brush painted, or do they have the original finish. If they have original finish, you might actually try (yes) in the can aresol spray paint. Comes in many colors and will probably wear better than anything else you try. When I first moved into my house, I painted my wood kitchen cabinets (over what I suspect was oil) with a semi-gloss latex paint. I sprayed it on with a wagner sprayer and was very happy (for 3 years) with the results. (It made the kitchen livable till I completely re-did it.) (Yes, I also sprayed the lower metal one...it never did look as good, but it could be lived with for the short term.) Richard (ROC) --Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.-- --AIM: ROConn   bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4639 Registered: 5-2001 Posted on Thursday, February 12, 2004 - 12:38 pm:        We painted wood kitchen cabinets this summer. A few hints. First, remove the doors and paint them on a saw horse in the basement or garage after lightly sanding. This is a good opportunity to have the excuse to spring for a small random orbital sander if you don't have one. Second, replace the hinges and knobs. We used some brushed chrome self closing hinges from HD along with matching knobs. Replacing the hinges does, however, make replacing the doors a little more difficult since you have to reallign everything. Have fun.   jonnyt Citizen Username: Jonnyt Post Number: 32 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 9:18 am:        Can anyone used a professional painter for this job whom they could recommend. An idea of how much they charged would be very helpful too. Thanks   jonnyt Citizen Username: Jonnyt Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 9:21 am:        Lord, I mean HAS anyone used ....   Jay060 Citizen Username: Jay060 Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 9:47 am:        We had our wood cabinets painted by New Colors of Rutgers Painters. They did an excellent job. We bought the hardware and they replaced it.   themp Citizen Username: Themp Post Number: 503 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 11:31 am:        I am doing the same thing. Here's my advice: Don't paint the insides. Leave the food and dishes in if possible. Clean everthing with a grease cutter (more important than sanding). Take off the doors in manageable batches - like 8 at a time. That way you can do the job in stages when you have time. Paint them in the basement. Buy real canvas drop cloths. They are very handy, even for raking leaves. Replace the hardware, but if you get hardware that uses the same screw holes, you are doing yourself a huge favor. Use a strong primer on everything. Use a small roller and then brush paint out, even on the narrow strips between cabinet openings (with the doors off there isn't much to paint). This saves tons of times. Use latex semi-gloss, but not Baer (crap). Go to Benjamin and Moore and talk to them about the best primer for the metal cabinets. They might have some super intense, smelly alkyd stuff that will allow you to use latex on the metal. Remember - sanding old paint is a lead hazard. Also - latex isn't as durable, but it is so easy to touch up when it gets dinged. Avoid oil if possible. Also - no one will notice a few runs and drips. Play WFMU, or the Rhythm Review on WBGO throughout and break for pizza and root beer.   cam1 Citizen Username: Cam1 Post Number: 70 Registered: 6-2001 Posted on Friday, February 13, 2004 - 8:06 pm:        Just painted some myself. Sanding and good primer are key. Also took doors and hardware off. Used eggshell finish, glossy makes imperfections show more. Also did not do interiors (except inside of doors). We'll see how the latex lasts, but looks good now.   scribbler Citizen Username: Scribbler Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2001 Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 12:33 pm:        This question may be silly, but is it possible to paint laminate kitchen cabinets? Has anyone tried? I am very tempted to do it as I hate the look of my white 80's cabinets, although they work fine. Re-facing too expensive, I'd rather wait for the whole rehab. Thanks.